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The Carbon Cycle
After graduating Uni, four best mates (Pete, Ben, Tom & Will) decide to embark on an epic 1000mile low-carbon cycling adventure. The 20 day journey takes the green quartet across the entire country - from Land's End to John O'Groats. Handing out energy-saving light bulbs along the way, towing a solar panel (for lighting at night, phones and ipods) and only eating local food, they attempt to keep their carbon footprint as low as is humanly possible. Will their bikes and friendship endure the testing journey? or will they opt for a BigMac and a cheap flight home?! After graduating Uni, four best mates (Pete, Ben, Tom & Will) decide to embark on an epic 1000mile low-carbon cycling adventure. T... more
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How green is your e-mail?
If a single e-mail has an environmental toll, imagine the carbon footprint of an entire website. That would probably be calculated on the basis of the total power usage of its visitors' computers, energy consumed to upload the content and the electricity consumed by the servers that store all the data. Technology-users generally don't tend to give a thought to online data storage equipment. For most of us digital files exist in a limbo. However, all storage – for your Hotmail account, for example – uses a significant amount of energy If a single e-mail has an environmental toll, imagine the carbon footprint of an entire website. That would probably be calculated on ... more
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Al Gore Enlists the Homeless as Personal Carbon Offsets
In a compassionate, selfless and ecologically responsible move, former Vice President and environmental leader Al Gore has invited the homeless in the United States to act as his carbon offsets.
"What can I say, we're honored," exclaimed an excited Trudy Watson, a homeless advocate in Queens, New York. "Anything we can do to help Mr. Gore save the planet."
Under the agreement, Gore can continue to use his mansions, heated pools, private planes and SUVs as long as the homeless offset this usage by agreeing to not put an equal amount of carbon into the atmosphere.
Phil Dawes, a homeless man from Philadelphia, was ecstatic. "Wow... it's good to know I'm making a difference by doing absolutely nothing."
In a compassionate, selfless and ecologically responsible move, former Vice President and environmental leader Al Gore has invited the... more -
Cringe Diary: Invention Intervention
As if we didn't have enough junk out there cluttering our spaces, filling up the landfills, increasing our carbon footprints. It's time for Invention Intervention (my contribution to the ECO movement). From the venerable online catalog stores, Lillian Vernon to Improvements Catalog to Harriet Carter, here are this week's top picks of things we don't really need, or do we?
Check out our scary picks by clicking on the link above As if we didn't have enough junk out there cluttering our spaces, filling up the landfills, increasing our carbon footprints. It's ti... more -
The New Milk Jug: Saving Gas, Pissing People Off
A new design for plastic milk jugs reduces its carbon footprint, drives cereal eaters crazy. It cuts down on packaging, shipping costs (and fuel usage) and creates less waste. Unfortunately, it’s also harder to pour. A new design for plastic milk jugs reduces its carbon footprint, drives cereal eaters crazy. It cuts down on packaging, shipping costs... more
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Half of British public vow to fly less to save environment
A new survey shows that 46% of us will travel less by air to try and save the environment. "3% of those surveyed said that they will only fly with airlines that have a clear green policy and 81% claiming that airlines are not doing enough to tackle global warming,
A new survey shows that 46% of us will travel less by air to try and save the environment. "3% of those surveyed said that they will o... more -
KLM tests algae-based kerosene for airplane fuel
Air carrier KLM reported last week their intention to begin testing airplanes that run on an algae-based fuel.
In a pilot program with AlgaeLink, a Netherlands-based global manufacturer of algae growing equipment and “earth-to-engine” technology, KLM expects to conduct test flights this fall. AlgaeLink will also open two plants this year in the Netherlands and Spain.
KLM hopes to have 12 of their Fokker-50 planes (7% of their air fleet) running on the fuel by 2010, with the eventual goal of running their entire fleet of airplanes on fuel made from algae.
The cost of fuel is an increasing burden on the bottom line for airlines all over the world. In 2012 airlines in Europe will be required to pay for their CO2 emissions. At $100 a barrel, algae will then become not only the carbon neutral choice, but the most cost effective one as well.
Other airlines looking into algae as a potential fuel source include JetBlue who, in partnership with Honeywell, Airbus, and International Aero Engines, are developing plans to develop fuels using vegetation and algae-based oils that “do not compete with existing food production or water resources”, according to a report in BusinessWeek.com. Air carrier KLM reported last week their intention to begin testing airplanes that run on an algae-based fuel. ... more -
Marijuana Hotbed Retreats on Medicinal Use
UKIAH, Calif. — There is probably no marijuana-friendlier place in the country than here in Mendocino County, where plants can grow more than 15 feet high, medical marijuana clubs adopt stretches of highway, and the sticky, sweet aroma of cannabis fills this city’s streets during the autumn harvest.
Lately, however, residents of Mendocino County, like those in other parts of California, are wondering if the state’s embrace of marijuana for medicinal purposes has gone too far.
With video and slide show. UKIAH, Calif. — There is probably no marijuana-friendlier place in the country than here in Mendocino County, where plants can grow mo... more -
Don't give up: Do you feel it's a waste of time trying to prevent climate change?
Do you feel it's a waste of time trying to prevent climate change? That reducing your carbon footprint is pointless when someone else is happy to increase theirs? That changing lightbulbs is a futile gesture? Well don't, says Michael Pollan, because even small changes in your lifestyle - and your thinking - can help save the world Do you feel it's a waste of time trying to prevent climate change? That reducing your carbon footprint is pointless when someone else ... more
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Will New Zealand lead in a 'low carbon economy' ?
New Zealand is hosting World Environment Day for the first time since it was started in 1972 by the United Nations Environment Programme.
Celebrated on Thursday, it will involve a huge range of community, Government and business events throughout the country. The Environment Day theme for 2008 is "working towards a low carbon economy".
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard said New Zealand had already indicated its intention to lead the charge internationally in becoming carbon neutral. New Zealand is hosting World Environment Day for the first time since it was started in 1972 by the United Nations Environment Program... more -
Jet Blue reduces its carbon footprint
When big culprits of CO2 emissions, like the airlines, decide to go green, we at Treehugger take notice. We've reported on airlines eliminating flights to save fuel, and got some really interesting commentson the impact of air travel. Well, JetBlue has taken this one step further with their Jetting to Blue initiative, aiming to green both the airtravel as well as their supply chain. To launch this initiative, they also have a green sweepstakes online, complete with green prizes.
JetBlue includes a list on their website of the initiatives they are taking on, recognizing that while carbon offsetting helps, directly reducing your environmental footprint is more important. For airlines, every bit really does count. Some of the big ticket items include using only one engine to taxi around the airport, using ground power rather than engines while at the gate, recycling spent fuel and improving flying routes to increase efficiency.
A few changes onboard include eliminating those disposable headsets in June 2008 (Yay!) and not offering an inflight magazine in order to save paper. Then, looking outside of the aircraft, JetBlue is greening the airport as well by eliminating paper tickets and ticket holders, as well as opening an environmentally friendly terminal (Terminal 5) in JFK airport in New York later this year.
To kickoff this new initiative, JetBlue is holding a Jetting to Green sweepstakes where you can win fabulous prizes like a Prius, an eco-spa vacation, Planet Earth DVDs, or a Pangea Organics gift bag. Find this online at:
Within JetBlue, there are a few eco-goals under the headings of "Volunteer. Reduce. Educate." Volunteer - encourage staff to take part in activities in the community. Reduce - corporate friendly buying habits, recycle and reduce waste. Educate - adopt best practices.
The website also includes green tips, a carbon footprint calculator and where to buy carbon offsets. If only JetBlue included a carbon offset in the price of each ticket it sold.
Seeing as how airplanes are a huge polluter, we're eager to see what else JetBlue comes up with and whether other airlines will follow suit.
JetBlue is only available for longer, cross-country flights. They're the ones with the tv in the headrest of every seat and all of the cable channels you might want for your red-eye to New York.
For more information on JetBlue's new Green initiative, check them out online at: Jetting to Green website.
When big culprits of CO2 emissions, like the airlines, decide to go green, we at Treehugger take notice. We've reported on airlines el... more -
Carbonrally: climate change community focused on fun, social, and competitive chal...
"Let’s face it, even when we recycle, we’re nagged by a feeling that our actions, so small in the scheme of things, will do little to curb global warming. Enter the website Carbonrally, which aims to inject some competition into CO2 reduction. The site hosts weekly “challenges”—like replacing three household light bulbs with CFLs or topping off your tires—in which teams or individuals vie for prizes and “greener-than-thou” bragging rights. Two departments at Google recently battled in a Carbonrally face-off, while a high school in New Jersey started a Gossip Girl-esque commentary on the competition. The site’s founder, Jason Karas, says the point is to get whole communities involved, by whatever means necessary: “For some it’s getting together to support a cause. For others, it’s a race".”
By Eva Steele-Saccio
For more info visit http://www.carbonrally.com/
Good Magazine
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 Generic
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ "Let’s face it, even when we recycle, we’re nagged by a feeling that our actions, so small in the scheme of things, will do little to ... more -
Bill Gates uses 10,000 times energy of average American--How Bout Y'all?
"Whether you live in a cardboard box or a luxurious mansion, whether you subsist on homegrown vegetables or wolf down imported steaks, whether you're a jet-setter or a sedentary retiree, anyone who lives in the U.S. contributes more than twice as much greenhouse gas to the atmosphere as the global average, an MIT class has estimated.
The class studied the carbon emissions of Americans in a wide variety of lifestyles--from the homeless to multimillionaires, from Buddhist monks to soccer moms--and compared them to those of other nations. The somewhat disquieting bottom line is that in the United States, even people with the lowest energy usage account for, on average, more than double the global per-capita carbon emission. And those emissions rise steeply from that minimum as people's income increases.
"Regardless of income, there is a certain floor below which the individual carbon footprint of a person in the U.S. will not drop," says Timothy Gutowski, professor of mechanical engineering, who taught the class that calculated the rates of carbon emissions. The results will be presented this May at the IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment in San Francisco."
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/footprint-tt0416.htm...
Calculate your own carbon footprint here:
http://www.carbonfootprint.com/
And turn down your screen brightness while you're at it! "Whether you live in a cardboard box or a luxurious mansion, whether you subsist on homegrown vegetables or wolf down imported steaks,... more -
Government to release proposed fuel economy rules
Read Transportation Department Secretary Mary Peters lips as she marks Earth Day with an announcement on new energy law without teeth.
Read Transportation Department Secretary Mary Peters lips as she marks Earth Day with an announcement on new energy law without teeth.... more -
Lower your carbon footprint now!
Looks like an awesome series for Earth Day in this Sunday's Magazine section
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Eating green: food type trumps distance
According to a new study released by Christopher Weber and H. Scott Matthews of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa., "who compared the greenhouse gas emissions caused by producing and transporting various categories of food in the United States", the type of food you eat has a higher impact on green house gas emissions than the distance your food traveled.
The food with the worst carbon footprint is beef. Cattle fart a lot of methane, a very toxic greenhouse gas 23 times more toxic than carbon dioxide. Their poop produces nitrous oxide (N2O) which is even worse than the methane.
"A majority of food's climate impact is due to non-CO2 greenhouse gases".
This new study does not mean you can stop buying local produce instead of produce grown in China. Local organics use less pesticide, help the local economy, and are usually fresher. According to a new study released by Christopher Weber and H. Scott Matthews of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa., "who co... more -
Do food miles matter?
Excerpt:
"it's how food is produced, not how far it is transported, that matters most for global warming, according to new research published in ES&T. In fact, eating less red meat and dairy can be a more effective way to lower an average U.S. household's food-related climate footprint than buying local food, says lead author Christopher Weber of Carnegie Mellon University."
I say go local and organic, but this article reinforces to me that it is worth the extra cost to support organic agriculture. Excerpt: ... more -
"Breath of a Nation"
A map of the carbon emissions of the US mapped to 100km. This map speaks for itself.
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Right now less cow
by Nicole
The CO2-busting website CarbonRally.com has laid out its latest challenge for eco-gamers entitled Right Now Less Cow. Those that choose to accept the new mission are being asked to give up meat for at least two days this week. The site estimates the two-day meat moratorium will, on average, reduce a participant's carbon footprint by 13.2 lbs.
The Daily Mantra invites its readers to join our CarbonRally team. There's never been a better time to lose the beef, given that the specter of mad cow disease has raised its ugly head again with downed cattle (a euphemism for animals suspected of having the disease) having entered the food chain, this time thanks to corrupt managers and employees at a California slaughterhouse.
After the scandal was exposed by the Humane Society, who's investigators compiled secret video evidence, the Hallmark Meat Packing Co., of Chino, was shut down by the USDA. The slaughterhouse supplied meat to several major grocery store chains, and to America's School Lunch Program, and a massive meat recall is in effect.
Many news site have been reassuring worried consumers by reporting that "there is no evidence that the company's meat posed a health risk." This is misleading however, since Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, an incurable degenerative neurological disorder which humans can contract by eating infected meat, is difficult to diagnose, and the onset of symptoms is often delayed by years, if not decades.
So on that cheery note, we suggest you join our team, and spread our new mantra, Right Now Less Cow, to those you care about. You'll help save the planet, and you may just save yourself in the process.
http://www.dailymantra.com
by Nicole ... more -
Meet CarbonRally.com: the fun way to fix the future
What if online social networking could be melded with online games to allow consumers to actively do something about global warming and have fun in the process?
Meet CarbonRally.com, a web community where members can propose deas for reducing their carbon footprint, and the community chooses the best ones to pursue.
Joining is free, and members can form teams to compete locally or battle with other towns for the most carbon reduction points. The total community impact of the actions is tracked in real-time on the site, and a leaderboard keeps tabs on who has reduced their carbon emissions the most.
(t/y grassroots scrapbook) What if online social networking could be melded with online games to allow consumers to actively do something about global warming an... more
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Carbon Footprint
